Crotch type arrow projector



July 14, 1953 J. FISHER 2,645,217

CROTCH TYPE ARROW PROJECTOR Filed July 18, 1950 IVENTOR. fisher;

Patented July 14, 1953 CROTCH TYPE ARROW PROJECTOR Jesse Fisher, Medford, Wis., assignor to George F. Meyer, Medford, Wis.

ApplicationJuly 18, 1950, Serial No. 174,527.

The present invention relates to devices for projecting articles, and, more particularly, to devices somewhat in the nature of a sling shot for projecting arrows and similar projectiles. In certain portions of the United States where game animals abound there generally are limitations as to the time when hunters may hunt and kill such game animals. The so-called open season for game animals generally comprises only a week or ten days, and many times even less. In many of these same localities the open season when the weapons employed are not guns, but bow and arrow, are considerably longer, primarily because a hunter must be very proficient indeed to be able to kill an animal, such as a deer, for example, with a bow and arrow. In other words, the game animal has considerable more chance against a hunter armed with a bow and arrow as contrasted with a hunter armed with a gun.

It will be understood that a conventional bow and arrow is a rather unwieldly thing to carry through heavy woods'and underbrush since it usually is six feet or soin length and is also rather unwieldly to use in certain situations. It would be desirable to provide a device for projecting articles whichcould function in the manner of a bow and arrow and yet which would take up very little space so that it might be carried in the pocket of the hunters jacket. It would furthermore be desirable for such a device to be inexpensive and readily assembled and disassembled as well as being capable of being used to project other articles in addition to ar- I'OWS.

Accordingly, it is an objector the present invention to provide a new and improved device for projecting articles, which can be manufactured at low cost, and yet which is capable of projecting articles such as arrows with extreme accuracy and speed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for projecting arrows, having a new and improved arrow guide, which device may be small enough to be normally disposed in the pocket of the user.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved device for projecting articles in the nature of a sling shot in which the' energy storage portion comprises resilient tubing available in varied wall thicknesses whereby a variation of pull strengths may readilybe had.

It is a further-object of the present invention to provide in a device for projectingarticles an improved arrangement for attaching the resilient 6 Claims. (01. 124-40) 2 7 energy storage means to other parts of the device. 7 1

A still further, object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved device for propelling articles which can readily be used to propel arrows with extreme speed and accuracy and also may be used as an ordinary sling shot or the like.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterizezthe invention will be pointed outwith particularity in the claims annexed to .and forming a part of this specification.

For a betterunderstanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing in which Fig.1 is a perspective view of-the device of the present invention shown as being employed by a right-handed-operator vto projectan arrow. e 1 Fig. 2 isa view similar to Fig. 1 in which the device of thepresent invention is used as an ordinary sling-shot by a left-handed operator;

Fig; 3 is an enlarged viewof a portion of the device shown inFig. 1;

' Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional View taken along thelongitudinal axis of the tubular energy stor- (age means to show the details of attaching the tubular meansto the other parts of the device;'

and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of the arrow guide shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

'The devicefor projecting articles with which .the present invention is concernedcomprises a someWhatY-shaped supporting frame with one leg of the Y serving as thehandle and the other two legs of the Y having fastened thereto energy storage means in the form of rubber tubing to produce the high propelling force for propelling an arrow or other article at high speed. "The ends'of the rubber tubing are interconnectedby suitable cord which engages the nook of an arrow'when used'to project an arrow or is attached'to' a sling shot pouch when used as a sling shot. A readily removable arrow guide having a V-shaped'notch for accurately accommodating many different sized arrows is employed. A novel means of attaching the tubing is alsoemployed. 'Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated the device for projecting articles generally designated by the reference numeral l0 which is indicatedin Fig. 1 of the drawing as adapted to shoot arrows such 'as H which may be quite similar to conventional arrows. As illustrated,

the arrow II comprises a metal tip Ila at the forward end and a nock I lb at the rearward end with the conventional feathered portion H located adjacent the rearward end. For proper use with the device I0 the arrow II is provided with a pair of opposed notches Ild and Me to receive the ball of the thumb and the second joint of the opposing forefinger as indicated in Fig. 1, whereby the operator may firmly grasp the arrow to stress the energy storage elements designated as I2 in the drawing.

To support the energy storage elements I2, the device III of the present invention comprises a supporting frame generally designated at which includes a handle portion I30, and a pair of projecting arms I3b and I3c which, with the handle portion I3a, form sort of a Y. As illustrated, the arms I3b and I3c are disposed in a continuously diverging relation from the junction thereof with the handle I3a. It will be understood that the supporting frame I3 may be formed of a molded plastic, from suitable wood, or from other material, and preferably also is finished with a pleasing appearance. It has been found in actual practice that constructing the supporting frame I3 from a molded plastic is the most practical since it may thereby be constructed with great uniformity and at high speed, whereas when formed of material such as wood, difllculty is encountered in getting the necessary uniformity when the device is manufactured on a high production basis. Preferably, the supporting frame I3 is provided with thumb receiving notches I4 and I5, one disposed in each arm I3b and I3c. Depending upon whether the operator using the device is rightor left-handed, one of these notches I 4 or I5 will receive the thumb as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing when the handle I3a. is grasped in the hand of the operator. This arrangement provides for very firm grasping of the supporting frame I3 in order to stress the energy storage elements I2.

In accordance with the present invention, the energy storage elements I2 comprise rubber tubing and preferably surgical rubber tubing by virtue of the great elasticity thereof and the ability of such material to store a large amount of energy and release the same with great speed. Furthermore, such rubber tubing may be purchased in a wide variety of wall thicknesses so that any desired pull strength for the device may be obtained. Actually, the device is well adapted for use as a toy whereby the energy storage devices l2 in the form of rubber tubing will have a very thin wall thickness, and in such case the arrows II instead of being tipped with metal as indicated at Ila, may be provided with a suction cup at the forward end in a conventional manner.

For the purpose of attaching adjacent ends of the energy storage means I2 to the arms I3b and I30 of the supporting frame 13 in a manner to permit ready removal and replacement with tubing of different pull strengths, an improved fastening means, best shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing, is employed. Each arm I3b and I3c of the supporting frame I3 is provided with an opening therethrough generally designated by the reference numeral I'I. These openings I! extend in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined between the arms I31) and [30. In addition, counterbores I8 and I9 of relatively shallow depth are provided in the arms of I3b and I3c at opposite ends of theopenings I1. To attach one end of the length of tubing I2 to the arm [3b or I 30 there is employed a bolt 20 having a relatively small head 20a which head is inserted within one end of the associated tubular member I2. By means of wire generally designated at 22, preferably of nickel silver, or the like, the end of the tubing I2 is attached to the bolt 20 as by wrapping the wire 22 tightly around the bolt 20 beyond the head 20:; thereby securely fastening the head 20a within the tubing I2. The bolt 20 preferably has a rounded head or some other similar shape so as not to injure the rubber tubing where it contacts therewith. The end portion of the tubing I2 is then disposed Within the counterbore I9 and a suitable cap nut '23 is applied to the bolt 20 after insertion into opening I1. It will be apparent that the tubing I2 may be replaced with tubing of a different wall thickness merely by removing cap nut 23 and replacing it on the bolt 20 fastened to such tubing of different wall thickness and hence diffe'rent pull strengths.

It will be understood that in order to engage the nock of an arrow, a relatively small cord receivable within such nock IIb must be employed to interconnect the ends of the energy storage means I2 remote from the supporting frame I3. Preferably a braided nylon cord 25 is employed for this purpose and is connected with the tubing l2 in accordance with the present invention in a novel manner. As illustrated, each end of the braided nylon cord 25 is provided with means which could be a dumbbell-shaped member, but which has been specifically illustrated as a pair of beads 26 and 21 threaded on the nylon cord. This dumbbell-shaped member or the bead 26 and 21 could be formed of metal, plastic or the like. Suitable knots 25a and 25b are tied in the cord to limit the location of the beads 26 and 21 relative to the cord 25. To attach the energy storage means [2 with the cord 25 all of the bead 26 and a portion of the bead 21 is inserted into the end of the tubing I2 remote from the supporting frame I3. By means of suitable wire 28, which is preferably a nickel silver wire, the portion of the tubing between the beads 26 and 21 is clamped against the cord 25. The nickel silver wire is twisted tightly to produce a narrow neck generally designated at 30 in the tubing I2 of sufilciently small diameter to prevent the bead 26 from passing therethrough. Hence the cord 25 is secured in a simple'and foolproof manner to the energy storage means or tubing I2. Actually, only the bead 26 or a similar member is essential for each end of the cord 25 and the extra bead 21 is primarily added for the sake of appearance. Since a part of it is visible, it preferably has the same color as the frame I3. It should be understood that a dumbbell-shaped member could comprise a molded, cast or machined element which would function just like the beads 26 and 21.

When the device I0 is used for projecting arrows, it will be apparent that some guide for the arrow is essential if accurate shootin is desired. In accordance with the present invention, extremely accurate shooting is obtained by employing the improved arrow guide 32, best shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing. This arrow guide 32 is preferably formed of a length of wire having at its center a deformation defining an enlarged v-shaped notch 32a. The ends of the arrow guide 32 are provided with hook-shaped portions 32b spaced and shaped to engage the bolts 20 in the manner clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawing. This arrow guide 32 may readily be attachedto the bolts prior toinsertion into the openings l1 and is then firmly clamped in position between the tubes l2 and the frame 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. It has.

been found that the V-shaped notch 32a which is disposed midway-between the arms I3b and provides very satisfactory guiding of the arrow so that the arrow may be'propelled' with extreme accuracy. Furthermore, by employing such a V- shaped guide, arrows of varied sizes may be .em-. ployed with the same guiding accuracy performed by the guide 32. It is belieVedQth'at the reason such. extreme accuracy is attainedis because ..of thefact thatthe arrow guide 32 supports the arrow in sucha way that the operator sights directly alon the longitudinal axis of the arrow and the pull of the energy storage means is also along this axis.

The device for projecting articles of the present invention may readily: be used as an ordinary sling shot as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing merely by attaching a pouch 35 at the center of the cord 25. This pouch may be formed of leather or other readily deformable material to enclose the article to be propelled and to permit grasping the same by the fingers of the operator. This pouch 35 may be provided with openings for receiving the cord which may be knotted thereto or fastened thereto in any suitable manher.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of the device of the present invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Extensive use of the device of the present invention indicates that it should be held with the handle [3a in a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing, whereby the opening between the arms I32) and 130 of the supporting frame l3 extends laterally either to the right in the case of a right-handed operator, shown in Fig. 1, or to the left in the case of a left-handed operator, shown in Fig. 2. Much greater accuracy may be obtained, and energy storage means having greater pull strengths may be employed under these conditions, particularly when used to project arrows. Of course, when used to project other articles, as when used as a sling shot, the device may be held with the handle portion l3a projecting downwardly. It

should be understood that the frame l3 may be held in several different ways, one of them being shown in the drawing. Experts who have used the device of the present invention are of the opinion that most accurate and satisfactory operation can be obtained by holding the frame l3 in a manner slightly diiferent from that shown in the drawings with the thumb in notch I5 (for a right-handed operator), and the forefinger of the same hand extending into notch M whereby the frame i3 is bridged across the arch formed by the thumb and forefinger and a very firm support for stressing the energy storage means is provided.

While there has been illustrated and described .tween said arms.

6. birialttion of a supporting frame comprising a handle,'-a pair of arms integral with said handle projecting from one end of said handle and disposed in a diverging relation from the junction of said-arnis and handle, a pair of tubular rubber member's, means'for attachin adjacent ends of said members to the ends of said arms remote from said" handle, a: cord interconnecting the otherfends of said tubular rubber members, a detachable arrow "guide including a V'-notch at the c'enter thereof, and means including said means for attaching said members to said arms for holding said-"arrow guide in position with said V- notch disposed midway between said arms.

2. -=In adevice for projecting articles, the combination" of "a supporting' frame comprising a handle, I pairof arms integral with said handle projecting "from'one end of said handle, energy storage means attached to the ends of said arms remote from said handle, a cord interconnecting the; other endsbf said energy storage means, means including a pair of spaced spherical enlargements attached to each end of said cord, and a constricting member between each of said pair of spaced spherical enlargements tightly clamping said energy storage means to said cord thereby to unite said cord with said energy storage means.

3. Apparatus for projecting articles comprising a supporting frame including a handle, a pair of arms integral with said handle projecting from one end of said handle and disposed in a diverging relation from the junction of; said arms and handle, energy storage means including a pair of tubularrubber members each having ad-.

jacent ends thereof attached to the ends of said arms remote from said handle, a cord interconnecting theother ends of said tubular rubber members, means including a pair of spaced identical enlargements attached to each end of said cord, one of each of said pair of identical enlargements being inserted into the adjacent end of one of said tubular rubber members, and a pair of constricting members one disposed be-' tween each of said spaced identical enlargements tightly clamping said tubular rubber members to unite said .cord with said rubber members.

4. In apparatus for projecting arrows, the

combination of a supporting frame comprising a handle, a pair of arms integral with said handle projecting from one end of said handle and disposed ina divergin relation from the junction of said arms and handle, a pair of energy storage means, means for attaching adjacent ends of said means to the ends of said arms remote from said handle, a cord interconnecting the other ends of said energy storage means, a detachable arrow guide including a V-notch at the center thereof, and means including said means for attaching said energy storage means to said arms for holding said arrow guide in position with said V-notch disposed midway be- 5. In a device for projecting arrows, the combination of a supporting frame comprising a handle, a pair of arms integral with said handle projecting from one end of said handle and disposed in a diverging relation from the junction of said arms and handle, a pair of tubular rubber members, means for attaching adjacent ends of said members to the ends of said arms remote from said handle, a cord interconnecting the other ends of said tubular rubber members, a detachable arrow guide and means including said means for attaching said members to said arr-m m arms for holdingsaid arrow guide in position: such that thetforceproducedupon stressingsaid'i tubular members is in a direction along-the. lon-.

gitudinal axis of an arrow associated with said: device whereby the operatorymay sight directlyalong said-arrow and extremely-accurate-pro: jectingof said arrow results.

6. In apparatus 1 for projecting arrows, the" combination of a supporting frame comprising": a handle, a pair of arms integral, with said hanrdleprojecting from one ,end of said handle and:

disposed in a diverging relation from the juncv tion of said'arms and handle, a pair of energy storage means, means for attaching adjacent ends ofsaid means to thesendsiof said arms remote from said handle, acord interconnecting the other ends of said energy storage ineansz:adetachable arrow guide including; a V-notch at, thecenter thereof; and means including said; means for attaching said energy storage: meanseml to said armsfor holding said arrow'guidein pow" 8. sitiom" with said V-notch: dismsed; midway eitw 'een' said armsrwhereby arrow disposed. in said: apparatusfor projectingthe same has its longitudinal 1 axis: coincident with l the resultant direction of the =force acting'on said arrow.

JESSE FISHER;

References Cited-inthe file of this patent UNITED"STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 225,510- Curtis Mar. 16, 1880 1,207,025v Grigsby' Dec. 5, 1916 1,277,701. De Pas, Sept. 3, 1918 1,581,626. Barth. Apr. 20, 1926 2,307,021 Cordrey etal. Jan. 5, 1943 2,585,663 Laubly Feb. 12, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4 12,046 GreatBritain Aug; 1, 1890 

